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April 15, 2020On March 7, around 50 Catholic men from Minnesota and North Dakota gathered at St. Boniface Church in Lidgerwood for the Fargo Diocese’s first-ever Ecclesia Domestica retreat.
Ten years ago, a group of Catholic laymen in the Diocese of St. Cloud founded Ecclesia Domestica. Their goal, and consequently the goal of Ecclesia Domestica, is to renew Catholic families by awakening and strengthening the faith in Catholic men. Since their founding, they have brought Catholic men together in retreats across Minnesota to help them re-discover their roles as the spiritual leaders of their families.
Guided by Master of Ceremonies Deacon Craig Korver, the men at the retreat heard from several speakers, including Father Peter Anderl, Pastor of St. Boniface Church in Lidgerwood, ND, Kevin Dockendorf, and Paul Rhoda. In these talks, they learned how to view themselves as beloved sons of God the Father, the importance of being reverent fathers in their families, and how sin does not define us. Between the talks were small group sessions headed by experienced retreat leaders such as founder Kevin Olson, Father Jerry Mischke, Deacon Korver, and others, where the retreat participants discussed the topics of the retreat in light of the challenges and realities of their own lives. The day climaxed with Eucharistic adoration, confession, and Mass to help give the participants a renewed supply of spiritual strength as they returned to their families and communities to confront the growing spiritual challenges of the world.
The retreat was a resounding success, with many commenting on the great peace that existed throughout the day and how relatable the topics were to their everyday lives. In the final get-together before the retreat ended, many men spoke of forming men’s groups in their parishes to continue what had begun in their spiritual journey that day. Father Anderl was particularly effusive in his praise of the event.
“It exceeded my expectations,” said Father Anderl. “The content that was shared, the witness of the men, the experience that I saw of our men receiving it, was incredible. I was very moved. This was perhaps the most powerful men’s conference I have ever been to. I can’t wait to have it offered again. And I would love to offer it for even more men to come. The theme about being a beloved son of the Father, that’s a core identity. To see that with the individual men, and their relationship with the Father, but then also to see the men coming together as a band of brothers, united in Christ, awesome, beautiful. To see how quickly everybody bonded and the fruit of wanting to develop and build a men’s group from this. I am just thrilled.”
“If you are interested in the Ecclesia Domestica ministry, visit their webpage at www.ecclesiadomestica.net.”
